Mute Swans’ diet consists mostly of
aquatic vegetation and roots, small proportions of aquatic insects, and even
tiny fish or tadpoles. Mute swans do not dive but plunge their head and long
neck below the water's surface to tug at aquatic plants with their bills.
Swans feed in the deeper parts of the lagoon than ducks and other waterfowl
and so do not compete with them directly for food; in fact, food is made
more readily available to other birds by swans because parts of the growth
they consume float to the surface while the swans are feeding.

Visitors to the lagoon will notice
that sometimes the swans’ heads and necks are stained brown from contact
with the mud on the bottom of the lake.

Swans also love grass, and a special
treat for them is the opportunity to graze the grassy areas around the
lagoon in the springtime. This tender grass is essential to the development
of new cygnets’ digestive systems, and it’s one of their first ventures
abroad with Mom and Dad, to find the greenest areas where they can happily
nibble.

► How Much Do Our Swans Eat

Swans’ body temperature is 106o
F(temperature can
vary slightly, depending on time of year and environment temperature) and a
Mute Swan weighs on average from 20 to 27 pounds (9 to 13 kg). They need to
consume about 20-25% of their total body weight per day.

Swans are not greedy and will not
over-eat; they will return to a food source numerous times rather than
consume it all at once.

► Why Lost Lagoon’s Swans Receive Supplemental Feeding

There are currently 13 swans on Lost
Lagoon, and given its capacity, there is not enough natural growth to
sustain this many swans and the other species of waterfowl that also take
their nourishment from the lake.

The Stanley Park Wildlife Technician
and volunteer helpers are therefore authorized to provide
supplemental feeding in the form of a mixture of wheat, cracked corn and
poultry pellets. The swans receive one such feeding daily throughout the
warm months, and twice daily (morning and evening) in the cold months when
lagoon aquatic growth is at a minimum.

► Why the Public Is Asked Not to Feed
the Swans

People have always enjoyed feeding geese, ducks or swans at beaches and
parks. What they might not realize is that Malnutrition is caused by the
types of food that people hand-feed the birds. Foods such as bread,
crackers, bagels, cookies don’t provide the necessary energy and nutrients
for proper health, and energy is wasted in digesting these foods.
Malnutrition leads to low energy, muscle deterioration, decrease in
successful reproduction, and death. Other foods containing salt and
chemicals are extremely harmful to the birds: dry dog and
cat food, chips, French fries, Doritos, popcorn, and any other snack-foods
are to be avoided.

In the case of Lost Lagoon’s swans
this is even more vital, because they are pinioned (wings cut so they cannot
fly - required by Environment Canada because Mute Swans are a non-native
species). They are thus totally dependent on the food available to them
within the confines of the lagoon. A healthy balance ensures that they will
continue to bring their own special beauty and delight to everyone for a
long time to come.

The public is asked not to entice the
swans any distance from the water, as this makes them vulnerable to dog
attack and other risks.

► Foods That are
Poisonous to Swans and Other Birds

CHOCOLATE
is harmful and can be fatal to birds. Chocolate poisoning first affects a
bird's digestive system, causing vomiting and diarrhea. As the condition
worsens, the bird's central nervous system is affected, resulting in
seizures and eventually death.

Salt:
While all living beings need
regulated amounts of sodium in their systems, salt can lead to a host of
health problems in birds, including excessive thirst, dehydration, kidney
dysfunction, and death. Avoid feeding them any foods with added salt.

Apple Seeds:
Theycontain trace amounts of
Cyanide. While the fruit of the apple is fine for birds, be aware that in
addition to the poisonous seeds, there may be pesticides present on the
fruit's skin. Be sure to thoroughly cleanse and core any apple pieces to
avoid exposure to these toxins.

Onions
cause vomiting, diarrhea, and
a host of other digestive problems. It has been found that prolonged
exposure can lead to a blood condition called hemolytic anemia, which is
followed by respiratory distress and eventual death.

Thank you for all the info! Yes, I agree that there is a lot of misinformation regarding this species. All the research I had done deterred me from contacting the DNR or any other local agency. To be..

Yeasterday - May 22 - I saw two Mute Swans in close contact. During the foreplay the biting was not very aggressive and after a couple of minutes it could look like a mating. But after 15 seconds the..